Today we’d like to introduce you to Ges Briggs.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Everything really all started with my camera and years traveling the world somewhat aimlessly. I’ve been snapping photos since I was a kid and always had a passion for travel, but I never planned to do anything with that. I’ve also always been drawn to the unseen side of things, to collecting experiences, and putting myself into tight or “character-building” situations where I was forced to develop a strong intuition. Like, literally in some cases, my life depended on my intuition. I’d use oracle cards to help build it, but putting myself in the fire through solo world travel, or from buying a plane ticket and going on to live with people or families in other countries I hadn’t yet met, was the preferred method for me. A lot of sticky situations come from that, but I loved to see how I would respond and grow from intensity and uncertainty. Intuition was the golden ticket at the end of these extremes.
When I was stationary at home and using oracle cards, I’d come to have more of an unsavory view towards the decks out in the world. I didn’t love the images or ideas; I never felt I could connect with any of it. In about 2018 the light bulb came on and I realized I had many thousands of photos I’d taken, why am I not creating my own decks from my numerous travels? I started making decks for family and friends, and after getting sacked from a job in 2023, all the solid pieces of making a real business out of my passions came together. I think the world would be a vastly different place if people actually used their intuitions. That’s what my intention is with these cards; they’re a tangible way for people to test and trust themselves through meditative use and reflection.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think the first initial struggle was the self-image part. I didn’t necessarily want to be seen as the crazy tarot chick or as a person who consumed astrology for breakfast. None of those things are true; I don’t read tarot and I generally pass on astrology, but people tend to lump all those types in together and I didn’t want to be part of it. Eventually though, I’ve come to own that and be okay with people being wrong about me.
After that I’ve had the struggles of building something from scratch with no experience. Being in leadership roles in established companies is vastly different than building something that didn’t exist before, where the blueprint is in your imagination. On my first order of decks I tried to save money by cutting the cards out myself with an X-Acto knife, a self-healing mat, and a metal ruler. I’m lucky I didn’t cut my fingers off. I had about 900 sheets of printed cardstock and I only got one of each of my then-six decks completed before I tucked my tail and went back to the print shop for them to cut them out.
Also trying to educate the local print shop on exactly what I wanted was a long trial and error process and working with them is a current issue I’m sifting through. In addition, knowing when to order, how to budget, what to get more of, what to create, working social media (when I’ve avoided it like the plague in the past), how to approach local stores about carrying my products, how to self-promote in ways that don’t feel icky, etc. It’s a lot, and I’ve accomplished a lot, but I still feel like a total newbie.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I created Wild West Oracle as a business name to sort of illustrate that I’m part softy and part feral. I primarily make oracle cards from my own travel photography and sell those with guidebooks I’ve made. I did, however, just finish my first traditional tarot deck, from collaborating with and using photos I’ve taken of many local creators, badasses, and business owners around Southern Arizona. This was a six month project where I met with over 60 different locals to make this a reality. This was a big task and I love the result.
I also attend markets or gatherings and give oracle card readings with my own decks. I make and sell masala chai concentrate- spices only- ground from whole organic spices and frozen until sold to maximize freshness. Of course I do photography- head shots, creative shoots, and the like. Sometimes you can find me at the local physic fair doing reiki. I also make prints of my photos and make limited stock custom frames, made from saguaro ribs donated from peoples’ private land. Currently, you can find my Wild West Oracle brand products for sale in over ten different shops and locations around Arizona, as well as online.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I’m in Tucson, and like many, I absolutely adore the desert. The landscape is such a big part of why I’m here; if the heat is too much, you can escape up to Mt. Lemmon or go elsewhere to catch some pines. The monsoon is epic, the wildlife is beautiful, the people are so incredibly warm and kind, and the food?! My goodness. The stargazing, the sunsets, the naturally-forming crystals… it’s difficult not to love such a beautiful patch of paradise. Each area is so different and magnificent. Plus I’m a lizard-person (not to be confused with a reptilian) so I love the heat. I love the weird here.
I can’t say I love hearing Air Force planes overhead most of the day. Just as it is above, so it is below; there’s a lot of the opposite energies keeping the good stuff in balance here. A lot of intensity and walls of force that don’t exactly do it for me. But, that’s life in Tucson.
Pricing:
- Decks are typically around $44
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wildwestoracle.square.site
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildwestoracle/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gesbriggsfoto/
